Parents

We work closely with Parents/Guardians to ensure that we are working in partnership to support our learners, your children, at the College.

Please find below a selection of Frequently Asked Questions.  If you do have a question that isn’t answered below please contact the College at anytime and we will be happy to answer your query for you.

Next Parents Evening: Wednesday 26th September 2012

What are the term dates?

Our term dates are listed under College Information on the website.  Please click here to see the dates for the current academic year.

How much homework should I expect them to be doing?

No student can complete the work they need to do for their subjects in their College study.

If little or no work is being done at home it is unlikely your son/daughter is making the most of their course.  There is always research, reading and reviewing to be done when they are not in classes.  As a guide, we would expect students to spend about 3-4 hours outside lessons per subject per week.  Students are issued with a Student Planner to help them plan their schedule of work.

What is the College policy on attendance?

Attendance at College is extremely important and should be as close as possible to 100% in all subjects, including General Studies, I-Skills and Tutorial sessions. The College policy and its expectations are clearly explained in the Student Planner.

Missing lessons can lead to serious problems in understanding topics and in falling behind with coursework.  The College operates an online monitoring system via SAPIEN and tutors will quickly be alerted if this is the case.

• If attendance falls below 90% students will be expected to pay a contribution towards their examination fees. Poor attendance will also affect any financial assistance given towards travel costs.
• Students who qualify for an Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) will only receive payment if attendance is 100% (or if there has been an authorised absence).
   

There should be enough non-lesson time in any week for driving lessons or medical or dental appointments to be arranged without attendance in lessons being affected.  If a period of absence is unavoidable, please let us know well in advance.  It is the student’s responsibility to ensure staff know in advance of any planned absence.  In the case of illness, you should telephone the College before 10.00 a.m. to let us know of the absence and its likely duration (0151 652 5575).  Please ensure that a note of explanation, signed by you, is provided for the tutor on return.  It is important that students go to see their subject teachers after any absence to find out about work to be caught up.

If your son/daughter is unexpectedly absent from a lesson you may receive a phone-call or an e-mail from College that day, enquiring as to the reason. 

What is the flexible/free time my son/daughter has on their timetable?

This is one of the most obvious differences between Sixth Form College and previous school experiences.  It refers to periods when there are no timetabled lessons.  Students often use this time in the early days to socialise with friends, but after the initial attraction of this wears off and the appreciation of the work load grows, students increasingly use the time to work individually and independently. It becomes a study period.

The College has a Learning Curve and Digi Curve which offers excellent resources and study facilities for students.  Their tutor and subject staff will help them make the best use of their time and to develop successful study habits.

They can also become involved in College activities, e.g. Sport, Student Council Council, community activities, work experience.  There are also social areas on site where students can talk and meet with other students.

Can students take holidays during term-time?

The short answer is no – unless there are exceptional circumstances.

We strongly request your support in discouraging any holidays in term-time as this adversely affects work and progress.   If it is impossible to take the family holiday at any other time, please write to the tutor for permission for your son/daughter to miss College.  Important external exams take place in January and in the Summer Term and even when these are complete the remainder of the term is crucial for assessment, reference preparation and forward planning.  Vital A2 work begins in June as soon as students return from their AS exam leave. Please note that any holidays taken during term time will count towards % non-attendance.

Is it all right for students to have part-time jobs?

Many students have part-time jobs, which can benefit them financially and give them useful experience, however, it is essential that College work comes first.  If a student takes on too much (for most students this would be working more than one day at the weekend and one evening – 10 hrs), this affects their College progress.  Excessive involvement in part-time jobs and other activities will be counter-productive both in the short-term and for career prospects.  They must not have paid work during the normal College day, i.e. 9.00 a.m. to 4.15 p.m., as they must be available during this time to meet any College requirements.

Is there any financial support available?

Students who decide to stay in Further Education can now claim an Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) if the household income is under £30,810 p.a.  If you feel you might be eligible but have not yet applied, details are available from Learner Services and from the EMA helpline – free on 080 810 16219 (website: www.ema.dfes.gov.uk) . 

What IT facilities are available at the College?

We have invested significantly in IT and e-learning and in 2010 we won national recognition for the way digital technology, computers and the web are used to help our students succeed.  We believe it is important that students have equal access to technology and our students benefit from:

• Wi-Fi access throughout the College
• Individual Virtual Learning Environment
• Unrestricted access to the College network and software every hour of the day via remote access
• Extensive range of e-learning resources
• 13 dedicated ICT rooms
• 4 Mac Suites
• 600+ PCs and Macs
• 400+ laptops and netbooks
• IPod Touches and Flip Cameras
   

What is the role of the Tutor?

Your son/daughter is a member of a Tutor Group of about 25 students, all in the same year, but studying a variety of different subjects.  They meet regularly with their tutor, either as part of the group or on an individual basis.  The tutor is there to give help, advice and support, to communicate important information, to monitor academic progress and to encourage personal and social development. 

Will a student be disadvantaged if they have been diagnosed as having a Specific Learning Difficulty?

Not at all.  Please do let us know immediately if your son/daughter has received any additional support of any kind in their previous school and we will seek to continue that support in an appropriate manner.

Students who have been identified as having a SLD are entitled to additional individual support, extra time in exams, or other equivalent arrangements, but only if a formal assessment has been made.  We make every effort to identify those students who are entitled to these arrangements, and in appropriate cases carry out an assessment in College by qualified staff and provide support. 

If you are concerned and think that your son/daughter might benefit from an assessment, please contact Jane Bruce, Learning Support Manager at jb@bsfc.ac.uk.

Will I be contacted if there is a problem?

We will contact you if we have concerns about your son/daughter’s progress and/or attendance.

You, in turn, are encouraged to contact your daughter/son’s Personal Tutor at any time.  We aim to create an atmosphere in College where students are treated as mature individuals and we encourage them to take increasing responsibility for their own progress and behaviour.                         

However, if a situation arises which is not resolved by discussions with the student and close monitoring, then we may invite you to come to College for further discussions with the tutor and/or subject tutor.  The student will normally be informed of any letters or phone calls home and will be expected to attend any meetings arranged.

If problems persist, the student will be placed on a Reflective Break.  If there is still no improvement the student, parents, tutors will negotiate and sign a Contract which outlines the conditions on which the student will be able to continue studying at the College.  Failure to meet the terms of the Contract will mean that the student may be asked to leave.

My son/daughter has no idea what they want to do when they finish College.  Will they be given any careers guidance?

Yes.  Their time at College will pass very quickly.  Careers preparation is built into the Tutorial programme, and help is also available from Connexions both on employment opportunities and on university courses.  We have a fully equipped Careers Library to help your son/daughter in their research.  You are, of course, very welcome to attend any careers interviews, and Connexions are available for consultations at parents evenings.

We have two specialist Graduate Advisers who provide support for students who are looking to go to University.  All students have an opportunity to participate in our HE Week at the College as well as attend the HE Conference at Liverpool University.

There is also the opportunity for students to participate in work experience opportunities either as part of our enrichment programme (BMore) or by organizing a work shadowing placement via Rowena Lovatt (rml@bsfc.ac.uk).  For certain career choices work experience is essential e.g. physiotherapy, medicine, teaching.

Advice is also available for second year Advanced Level students intending to enter employment on completion of their course.

I would like to get more involved in what’s going on at College.  How can I do this?

• Through supporting College events, e.g. Plays, concerts, fund-raising events.
• By offering a valuable work-shadowing placement.
• By supporting your son/daughter through what can sometimes be a stressful time for them, allowing them their independence, but also keeping us informed of any of your concerns.
• By volunteering to act as a Parent Governor
   

Is there a Counselling Service for students?

Confidential counselling is available for students.  The Counsellor, is willing to talk in confidence about anything which is bothering students, however, large or small they think the problem is.  The aim is to help students explore and clarify the problems or issues important to them and to help them work out a way forward.  An appointment can be made via the personal tutor or Adi Chapman in Learner Services.

I need to get a message to my son/daughter at College.  How can I do this?

If there is an emergency please phone College (0151 6525575) and we shall do our best to get a message to your son/daughter.

Will I have to pay for anything?

No course fees are payable by full-time, day time students aged 16-19 at the start of their course, who have been resident in the European Community for the past 3 years.

Exam fees are not normally charged.  However if a student chooses to resit a modular exam then they are normally expected to pay.  If their attendance falls below 90% on any particular course they will also be invoiced for the exam entry fee.

Most textbooks are provided by College but some departments may ask students to pay a deposit for books or to buy additional materials.  Further details are available on request.

Students will be expected to provide A4 lined paper and files.

Some additional costs must be expected for photocopying or printing off materials. 

What is the Complaints and Grievance Procedure?

The Complaints and Grievance procedure is designed to resolve individual problems or complaints with the support of College.  All complaints will be dealt with both confidentially and seriously.  We hope that you can resolve any complaint by discussion with the person concerned.  If not, the mechanism outlined in the Complaints and Grievance procedure will be followed.  Information about this procedure is available from the College.